Gay Soldiers Severely Beaten by 6 Black Men and 2 Black Women

A gay soldier was severely beaten on Saturday based on his attire. He was not alone, however. His companions suffered brutality as well. According to NewsFirst5, “a group of Fort Carson soldiers and their friends [are] trying to pick up the pieces after a seemingly senseless hate crime early Saturday morning at the Albertacos restaurant in northeastern Colorado Springs.”

One of the victims, Chris, said that the crime was perpetrated by a group of six black men and two women. Chris said, “We walked in and immediately one black male started making remarks like, faggot.” The victims tried to simply leave the scene, but the perpetrators followed them outside and began brutally beating them. Chris added, “I turn[ed] around and my friend was getting stomped by 6 black males. Another female friend of mine was trying to fight off 3 or 4 men.” Two of the victims were treated by emergency personnel. One person suffered a shattered jaw and is now recovering with his mouth wired shut.

NewsFirst5 says that “police are looking into the possibility of hate crime charges when the suspects are found.” Lieutenant Pat Rigdon of the CSPD said, “if it’s based on ethnicity, gender, or sexual orientation we can charge people with that (a hate crime).” Chris concluded his interview with NewsFirst5 saying, “I and a few other friends of mine that were there that night have fought for this country….You would get respect for that but it’s apparent you don’t.”